Iran is reportedly on the verge of an agreement with China to purchase supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, a development with the potential to dramatically escalate tensions in the Middle East as U.S. carrier strike groups position themselves nearby.
On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Tehran is in the final stages of securing a deal for Chinese-made CM-302 missiles, according to six sources familiar with the discussions.
These supersonic weapons, capable of traveling approximately 180 miles while flying at low altitudes to avoid detection, would substantially improve Iran’s capacity to strike targets operating in the area.
The sources indicated the agreement is nearly finalized, but a delivery date has not been set. The number of missiles, the agreed-upon price, and whether China will follow through given the increased regional instability remain unknown.
According to Reuters, the pace of negotiations quickened following a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran last year, which strained Tehran’s military and intensified regional friction.
This reported arms deal emerges as the U.S. President warns Tehran of repercussions if it does not limit its nuclear program. Concurrently, the Pentagon has sent several carrier strike groups to the region, such as the USS Abraham Lincoln, in one of the most significant U.S. naval buildups there in recent years.
On February 19, the President stated that Iran must negotiate a deal on its nuclear program or risk potential military engagement.
A White House official informed Fox Digital that the president’s position is firm that Iran must not produce or enrich uranium.
When asked for comment on the alleged impending Iran-China deal, the official said, “The President would like to see a deal negotiated, but he has been clear that ‘either we will make a deal or we will have to do something very tough like last time.’”
Last week, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei seemed to issue a direct threat to U.S. warships.
“More dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea,” Khamenei posted on X on February 17.
Military experts suggest that if China provides supersonic anti-ship missiles, it could create complications for U.S. naval activities in the Persian Gulf and adjacent waters.
“It’s a complete game-changer if Iran has supersonic capability to attack ships in the area,” Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli intelligence officer and senior Iran researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, told Reuters. “These missiles are very difficult to intercept.”
Nevertheless, Fox Digital reported that U.S. forces possess multi-layered defensive systems to counter Iranian threats, such as Patriot missile batteries, Navy destroyers armed with Standard Missile interceptors, and F-35 stealth fighters.
U.S. Central Command stated that last year, Navy destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean used SM-3 interceptors to shoot down Iranian ballistic missiles, while aircraft from the USS Abraham Lincoln also downed drones that neared U.S. assets.
In previous encounters with U.S. forces, Iran has also utilized swarms of fast boats, ballistic missiles, and drones.
When questioned by Reuters, the White House did not comment directly on the alleged missile talks. China’s foreign ministry told the news agency it had no knowledge of any such discussions.
If finalized, the potential transfer would represent one of the most sophisticated Chinese weapon systems provided to Iran in decades and could challenge authorities.
As U.S. forces deploy throughout the region, defense officials have emphasized that the buildup is intended to deter Iranian aggression, while also cautioning that they are ready to fight if diplomatic efforts collapse.
Reuters contributed to this report.